DeepSummary
The podcast episode begins with Ryan interviewing Tom Check, an award-winning conservationist and director of the One World One Water Center at Metropolitan State University in Denver. Tom discusses the impact of global climate change on water resources, including the melting of glaciers, changes in precipitation patterns, and the potential for more intense droughts and hurricanes.
Tom shares his observations of rapidly melting glaciers in Canada and the challenges Colorado faces with its highly variable precipitation patterns. He also touches on the global water scarcity issue and how it has contributed to migration crises in regions like the Middle East and Central America. Tom highlights innovative technologies like atmospheric water harvesters and desalination plants that could help address water shortages.
Towards the end of the interview, Tom emphasizes the importance of educating and involving students in water conservation efforts. He describes the multidisciplinary water studies program at Metropolitan State University, which attracts students from various majors and encourages them to take action in their communities. Tom concludes by suggesting practical steps individuals can take to conserve water at home and in their neighborhoods.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Climate change is impacting water resources through melting glaciers, changes in precipitation patterns, and more intense droughts and hurricanes.
- Innovative technologies like atmospheric water harvesters and desalination plants could help address water scarcity, but they also have drawbacks and challenges.
- Educating and involving students in water conservation efforts is crucial, as demonstrated by the multidisciplinary water studies program at Metropolitan State University.
- Individual actions, such as conserving water at home and advocating for responsible water management in communities, can make a significant difference in water conservation efforts.
- The interconnected nature of water and energy issues presents challenges but also opportunities for holistic solutions.
- Global water scarcity has contributed to migration crises in regions like the Middle East and Central America, highlighting the far-reaching impacts of this issue.
- Variable precipitation patterns, particularly in regions like Colorado, require adaptability and preparedness for both wet and dry extremes.
- Involving diverse stakeholders and perspectives, from different academic disciplines to community organizations, is essential for comprehensive water conservation strategies.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So about six or seven years ago, metropolitan State University of Denver received a grant to start a water studies program. And part of our work on that is to create a water studies minor or certificate, which is either 15 or 18 credit hours that can be used with any academic major at our university.“ by Tom Check
- “Population growth and climate change are quite often their top concerns. And what the other part that's intriguing to me with college students today is that they actually want to do something about it. And in some cases, they'll create their own companies, they'll look into developing startups. They don't just worry about it or just talk about it, they actually go out and do something.“ by Tom Check
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Episode Information
Climate Changers
Ryan Flahive
10/15/19